Suitable Cleaner for Aluminum Alloy (6061)

How about an automotive wheel polish, eg -

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101_b.html

they are doing that for the areas that can be physically polished - but the grill material is punched 1/8" plate - so the (numerous) edges will be difficult to address.

I am looking for a dip cleaner that can be washed off after it has done it's thing

For a coating, perhaps ask Tristan's boss if he can anodize it. Still, you'll need to clean it first - light abrasion with 'brasso' or 'scotch-brite' is usually pretty good to get rid of pitting.

Regards,

TinTin

anodizing is a good option.. what do the anodizing shops use to prep the aluminum?

I believe that caustic soda (NaOH) will disolve the aluminum.

It does, but if not left on for too long it cleans it quite well.

Is there no scope to replace it with a saltwater-resistant material, like plastics?

It could easily be done - however, this welding shop was hired specifically to resurrect these 'almost new' aluminum grills - not to fabricate new ones.

Perhaps 6 months from now, replacement with grp will be a plan.

Holy Horse Manure! Tell him not to smoke while he's doing the cleaning. Or maybe have the boss show him how to do it, " Could you move over closer to the welding table? The light's better. A little closer..."

Muratic acid (HCl) is a good cleaner for salt and other water deposits. I would use a dilute solution and try it on the back of the grill to see what the effect is.

Thanks - that is the new plan!

I would agree with a diluted acid dip process. Using the correct acid is important to not damage the aluminum. T6061 is more durable against acid than say a softer 5052 or 3003 alloy. Here is a forum I ran across about cleaning aluminum.

http://www.finishing.com/104/57.shtml

For protection, anodizing or chromate conversion (chem-film) would be quite effective. Contact a local contract painting or powder coating shop (typically a company that performs MIL spec finishing). They would likely have contacts for people who do aluminum anodizing or corrosion resistant work.

I don't know, but after reading the thread and considering pits and crevices and time, plus the "good enough" factor, I'm about to suggest some salt water, and a light hit with a sandblaster.

If the aluminum is pitted after two months it probably has no surface treatment for protection. This surface treatment is called an anodic coat. In a salt environment you would need at least 20 microns.

If the aluminium is pitted with the anodic coat protection on it , the only way you can clean it is with caustic soda or sand paper.

However a good protection would be episodic paint. To paint the aluminium you have to strip it properly, and use a good chrome based primer.

Thanks for this. We are moving forward with a wash and going with sacrificial anodes - but the links regarding anodizing are much appreciated.

Thnx

He's right.

Would've fizzed more than an ice-cream soda.

There is a proprietary brand moisture curing urethane, clear, which will totally insulate the alloy to make it inert to further action. Three coats will give protection for at least ten years. Even from acids. Hesitate to give brand names. Let me know if you want.

Their cleaning process is best for the app'n, and its falling-off-a-log easy.

Cheers,

Stu.

thanks for the response - this is what I needed to help get the job out the door

Thanks - this is the kind of info I was after